The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-01-12


and OF LAYING the foundation at least for their ed
ucstion, and then OF providing them with homes.
In the homes SO found these dependent ones are
guarded and their care and usage are vigilantly
watched and followed, by agents OF tho State
and school, In after years
such success has attended the management
of this institution that while as many children
have been received by il ring the last year as
usual yet enough more have been placed in
good homes. so that the number now in the
school 10 less than IL was year ago.
The foar at one time entertained that IL
would prove asylum for grown-up boys and
girls is thus removed, and it's character has be-
come woll established as the great distributor
of our dependent waits, and characterized by
foster parental devotion and watchfulness.
STATE REFORM SCHOOL.
This institution is an outgrowth OF the civih-
cation of this progressive age. It's foundation
purpose is TO restrain and reform the hayward
boys, and to educate and mt them for lives OF
usefulness.
During tho last two years many have been
placed in homes with good results. This feature
of the work should be encouraged. The natural
place for boys and girls is in good family with
its homelike surroundings. The laws ought To
be amended that the state may exercise
watchful care over them in these foster homes.
INDUSTRIAL HOME FOR GIRLS.
This is one of the new institutions the entire
usefulness of which is not yet fully tested.
The able board having It in charge is san
some, and 70 save others from depravity and
degradation. The tender age Mt which they are
admitted gives much confidence that tho fond
spect It's needs will be fully set forth by the
board in their report.
MICHIGAN SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND.
Next TO the loss of reason as affection Is
the loss OF sight. Our State. in common with
all civilized countries, has made ample pro-
visions for their stricken ones and here at the
capital is located the school, where you will
all enjoy ample opportunity to visit the institu-
ton, and Judge of its needs and Of the progress
made by the pupils.
This i'm stitution the oldest of it's class, was
opened for the reception OF patients only twenty
eight years ago. Now we have fouf, ana they
are all full, nearly So and yet provision is not
made for all of this class With new asylum
recently completed, with a capacity for 5Ol pa
tients, are still confronted with the fact that
before the next legislative session snail arrive
there will be no room for the admission OF pa
tients in any of the State asylums.
We have three asylums similar in design and
character. Many of the patients are almless,
but incurable. The State owns farm in con-
noction with the asylum ut kalamazoo. The
Board Of Trustees ask for an appropriation OF
3 900 to construct four houses on this farm that
will accommodate 100 patients. Sufficient room
for this number of inmates in IN ordinary asy-
lum would cost Sl20,OO0 Sound policy and wise
economy induce me to urge upon the Legisla-
ture the proprety of this appropriation. Other
needed appropriations are asked by the board,
but more important than all others is the one
for the colony houses. IL successful, the system
can be adopted Mt the other asylums, and they
may be thus relieved from their anticipated
Gro ded condition.
The board has made full report of its con-
diton and needs. They ask for an appropriation
of SIS, 600 for the purchase of $50 acres OF land
ad joining the institution. Some addition TO the
land now owned may be desirable, but the pol
icy of purchasing so large Il tract is doubtful.
An appropriation OF $1,000 IL also asked for the
erection of hospital While some provision
should doubtless be made for the sick, yet the
objections to separate hospital buildings are 80
serious that do not believe that this appro-
pIation should be made. Other and better
plans can be devised for those requiring hospital
treatment.
Humanity and good economy demand that
these afflicted ones shall be cared for. No other
unfortunates appeal so loudly TO us for relief
and proper care rs do these objects OF our SYM
pathy and protection.
THE EASTERN ASYLUM AT PONTIAC
This institution has room for 700 patients, and
they are now accommodating COS. The Board
desire appropriation for the coming two
years, which they will make known TO you in
their report.
THE NORTHERN ASYLUM AT TRAVERSE CITY.
This institution is in excellent condition, and
their wants are confined TO small appropri-
alton which they ask for the purpose of buying
more land All concur in the opinion that the
land is needed, and the price at which 1T is oier-
ASYLUM FOR INSANE CRIMINALS AT IONA
The location of this institution in connection
with the House OF Correction was very unfor-
tunate in every respect The Board ask for an
appropriation Of S2O,OOO for an extension of the
building. Though their present capacity is full
to overlooking sincerely hope that no money
building where now located. These inmates
must be cared for by the State, and while 1t
cannot be done at the ordinary asylums an in
stitution should and ought to be provided for
them at an early day ut some place removed
! from prison walls.
STATE HOUSE OF CORRECTION AT IONA.
The whole subject of prison management in
| all of its bearings and connections will claim,
| and doubt not will receive, the most careful
con liberation at your hands. The question of
prison labor is attracting moro general atten-
| ton than ever before. What TO do with our con-
| vcts is problem yet only partially solved.
| That they must work is almost universally con-
| coded. Their health, future welfare. humanity,
| and economy al unite in demanding this and
Justice 10 the free workers of the State demands
| that the depressing effect of their labor upon
free labor and its products should be reduced 10
! the lowest minimum How TO find en-
! ployment for the prisoners so as
not to compete with free labor,
or to the least extent, is the question that con-
| fronts prison management "a we'll as legisla-
| ton. There is a widespread feeling existing
| against contracting this labor and favoring the
| employment OF prisoners ON State account, and
| which has been suggested and TO some extent
| adopted in the State. If this plan is generally
! adopted it will require heavy appropriations
! for implements ana machinery and for "A work
| ing capital for material. Again, should this
| plan be pursued il is not easy to see how com
! petition with free labor will be removed OF
| much reduced. Nor will il be sound policy e
| employ them in non-prOductive pursuits, be-
| cause the support Of the prison would place a
burden upon those We would be glad to aid.
| Nor could such non-productive employments
fit them for the active duties of life when they
| again become free mon. But in whatever man
nor the convicts are employed, either by con
| tract on on state account, IL should DO done SC
| as to reduce competition with the free workers
and affect the price of the product of his toll x
| the least poss bic extent.
That the contract system is TO be abandoned
| sooner or later seems apparent, and just what
| shall take its place is question challenging
| your best thought and wisest action.
| The board ask tor an appropriation 10 pur
| chase land adjoining the House of Correction
| As the inmates can work the land, its purchas,
seems advisable
| THE STATE PRISON AT JACKSON.
This institution asks for improvements anC
| repairs. Its financial management has beer
most excellent. It's requirements will be large
| ly governed by the policy to be pursued I'm re
latiOn TO convict labor and in this connection
your attention is called to the various recon-
mendations OF the Board OF Corrections an,
Charities, and to the report Of the Commissions
of Labor. AS will be observed, an entire .revolu
ton of the present system of prison manage
ment is called for. Considering the radica
changes advised, trust the recommendations o
the Board will not be concurred in without care
full invest CATION and thought. The tendency o
the proposed plan will be 70 take the manage
ment Of the prison out of the hands Of tho peo
pie, ana place il in the hands Of n board. Thi
j do not believe to he n wise policy. Classhca
ton can be provided just well without a
with the consolidated board Of managers. Tn
one board Will DO more expensive and cumbeT
some and without the corresponding benefits
Following out the same policy, n recommended